Ford Recalls Nearly 230,000 Bronco and Bronco Sport SUVs After Instrument Panel Failure Raises Safety Concerns

Ford Recalls Nearly 230,000 Bronco and Bronco Sport SUVs: Ford Motor Company has issued one of its most significant recalls of the year, announcing the withdrawal of 229,609 Ford Bronco and Ford Bronco Sport vehicles in the U.S. after a critical software defect was found in the instrument panel cluster. The failure, which causes the digital display to remain blank during vehicle startup, prevents drivers from accessing essential safety information such as warning lights, vehicle speed and other telltales. Regulators say the issue significantly increases the risk of a crash, prompting the automaker to take immediate corrective action across its 2025–2026 Bronco and Bronco Sport lineup.

The recall covers vehicles produced between early 2024 and late 2025. Ford’s internal review, combined with federal safety records, shows 12 warranty claims linked to the defect, although no accidents or injuries have been reported.

The company will issue free software updates to affected vehicles, either through over-the-air (OTA) delivery or at Ford and Lincoln dealerships. Notification letters for owners are scheduled between December 8 and December 12, according to official documentation.

Key Takeaways on Ford’s Recall of 229,609 Bronco & Bronco Sport Vehicles

• Ford is recalling 229,609 Bronco and Bronco Sport SUVs due to a software defect that can cause the instrument panel cluster to go blank at startup.
  
• Affected models include 2025–2026 Ford Bronco Sport (128,607 units) and 2025–2026 Ford Bronco (101,002 units).
  
• The defect can hide critical safety information such as vehicle speed and warning indicators, increasing crash risk.
  
• The issue stems from a CAN wakeup interrupt during the IPC sleep-entry sequence, triggering a memory protection fault.
  
• Ford’s connected vehicle data indicates 68% of vehicles experienced ignition events within the vulnerability window.
  
• Ford has received 12 warranty claims but reports no injuries or accidents related to the malfunction.
  
• Software updates will be available free of charge, through dealerships or OTA updates.
  
• Owner notification letters will be mailed between December 8 and 12, with dealer updates starting November 24.
  
• Recall numbers include 25SC3 and NHTSA 25V540, referencing the connected safety concerns.
  

Widespread Recall Triggered by Digital Display Failure

The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) confirmed that the recall affects all units believed to contain the defective software. The instrument panel cluster, responsible for displaying warning lights and vehicle operating information, may fail during ignition, leaving drivers without essential visibility into the vehicle’s performance.

A blank display means no speed visibility, no seatbelt warnings, and no alert indicators — a situation NHTSA deems hazardous under certain driving conditions. Drivers who start their vehicle under the affected ignition cycle window may encounter the failure without warning.

How the Issue Was Identified: Ford’s Internal Investigation

Ford first learned of the issue on September 18, when reports of blank cluster screens surfaced. The matter was escalated to the Critical Concern Review Group (CCRG), which evaluated the problem through September and October. While affected vehicles arrived at dealerships in what appeared to be compliant conditions, internal data revealed a deeper software flaw.

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The company found similarities between this defect and a previous Ford recall (25S88 / 25V540), also concerning instrument panel clusters. Ford’s analysis discovered that approximately 68% of connected vehicles surveyed had ignition cycle events occurring within the vulnerability timeframe — nearly identical to the earlier recall pattern.

The first warranty claim was filed on May 15, and by November 7, Ford had logged 12 warranty claims linked to the issue. No injuries or crashes have been reported.

Technical Cause: The Instrument Panel’s Memory Protection Fault

According to Ford’s recall documentation, the defect stems from a specific scenario during the sleep entry sequence of the instrument panel cluster (IPC). If a Controller Area Network (CAN) wakeup interrupt occurs within a narrow timing window, it triggers a memory protection fault, resulting in a completely blank screen at startup.

This technical vulnerability affects:

• The 2025–2026 Bronco Sport models produced between March 7, 2024 and November 3, 2025.
  
• The 2025–2026 Bronco models produced between May 31, 2024 and November 3, 2025.
  

The supplier for the IPC hardware and software is Visteon, according to Ford’s internal findings.

Free Software Fix and Owner Notification Timeline

Ford will resolve the issue by providing updated software that disables the memory protection feature responsible for triggering the display shutdown. This remedy software will be installed free of charge.

Important Dates

Owners can confirm recall eligibility by:

• Contacting Ford at 1-866-436-7332
  
• Visiting a Ford or Lincoln dealership
  
• Checking their VIN via the NHTSA vehicle recall portal
  

Vehicles covered by the recall are not produced in VIN order, so Ford urges owners to verify individual eligibility through official channels.

Broader Impact on Ford’s 2025 Lineup

The recall comes at a time when Ford is already managing multiple quality concerns. Just last month, the automaker recalled 740,000 vehicles across its lineup for rearview camera issues, steering problems, and seatbelt defects. The repeated recalls highlight increasing scrutiny of software reliability in modern vehicles — especially as digital instrument clusters replace traditional mechanical displays.

Why This Recall Matters: A Safety Breakdown in the Digital Age

The digital instrument cluster has become a crucial safety component in modern vehicles. When it fails, the driver is essentially operating blind. Ford’s recall underscores how even minor software flaws can escalate into major safety risks when they affect core vehicle functions like speed monitoring and warning alerts.

As vehicles become more software-dependent, the importance of robust digital safety systems grows — and so does the responsibility on manufacturers to ensure airtight quality control.

FAQs on Ford’s Recall of 229,609 Bronco & Bronco Sport Vehicles